Nawang P Phuntsho

"READ Bhutan?" my friends ask. "Oh isn't it the new paper or a magazine?"  ( Sorry I am not a narcissist, not at all and I have never been one, but this post is about myself ). Almost all my friends ask the same question when I tell them that I am working for READ Bhutan and I always end up expanding the acronym - READ - Rural Education and Development. READ Bhutan is an NGO that builds community library and resource centers. READ model is simple - it goes out to the community and explains the importance of books and specifically information - which are essential tools to empower communities.  And if a community feels it is ready then READ sets up library and resource center in partnership with the community. Here READ mandates that at least a community contributes 10-15% of the cost of setting up the center - not because READ can't bear the cost. This is done with a sole aim of inducing and inculcating in community a sense of ownership and respons...

Indeed, some objects are bigger than they appear in the mirror This is about a man who forfeited his chance to study in bargain for his father’s deteriorating health. When I learnt that he had relinquished the opportunity to upgrade his qualification I was totally shocked. I thought he was crazy. Who would ever let go such opportunity? After all he won the chance to do so through a competitive selection process. And when I came to know the reason behind his decision my respect for my friend Dechen Choezin increased manifold. “Studies opportunities will come in future, but I only have a father and if I don’t take care of him when he is sick, I would regret rest of my days,” he tells me. “And for the sake of my father I am willing to give up my plan.” I am really moved. How many sons and daughters make such sacrifices? We were told many Bhutanese don't mind leaving behind their dying parents at home as they proceed to upgrade their qualifications and make big money. ...

  "Meeting place for book-lovers" indeed! Well, this month’s theme of my blog is people, innovation and creativity. And this one is about a woman who had the opportunity to live her dreams. In the heart of the town, she runs a bookstore, which she tells me runs quite well. She is an avid reader herself I can make out and to supplement that fact I was informed that she has formed a book club in her bookstore. There are around 30 members. She tells me only a few attend the reading sessions nowadays. The members decide on a book to read and they come and decide what they read when they meet. That’s wonderful isn’t it? Getting to share what you have read is truly an unforgettable experience. Otherwise we just forget in a week or two. I do. I don’t know about others. The books in her store are arranged in a systematic manner and you will find it easy to find the books you are looking for. The set up is excellent. Location is every businessman’s dream- in the heart ...

The first impression by Penstar Today is Monday and this morning I reached my office late for the first time in two months. It so happened that this morning, out of nowhere, my my former classmate enters the same taxi as me, headed towards same direction. And we reached Changiji Bridge when he told me that he takes City Bus from thereon to his office. I was tempted by his offer to commute in the City Bus. We waited. There was no sign of bus appearing. Usually I reach office latest by 8:45 AM. But today even after 9:05 AM we were still waiting near the bridge. There were about seven of us in the group, all waiting for the delayed, unreliable service and to console me my friend was telling me that from May 2012 the schedule was not followed properly. This he thought was due to coming of additional buses in the town.  I agreed. And I had to utilize some of my reserved patience waiting there for the bus. So, the government is encouraging us to use public transport servi...

A screenshot of Damchey's creation There is no boundary for creativity. Creative people are the jewels of the nation and we mustn’t forget to dully recognize such people. They are the people who dare to think outside the box and dream big – not just dreaming big, but creatively too. My former colleague Damchey Lhendup is one of the most creative people I know. He left his corporate job.  Although the organization needed his skills, I knew this was not the place where he could explore his talent in depth. I am glad for the decision he took.  Recently I was pleasantly surprised when I learnt that he now has come up with Green Mart, which is an online grocery and home delivery store that caters to Thimphu residents. www.shop.bt Well, it is more than that – a customer orders for a list of items online and only make payment only on delivery. This way you need not possess credit cards. Not yet. This will also go a long way in reducing traffic congestion in the t...